Hi there guys in this chapter we are going forward in time a little bit to when the 'council-Batarian war' is in full swing and how the various factions are doing, and what tricks does humanity have up its sleeve. Also if any of you would like to see a particular character make an appearance PM me and I'll see if I can work them in.
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Disclaimers: Mass effect is the property of EA and Bioware… and yada yada yada come on now guys I surely don't need to repeat myself now do I?
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Commonwealth space
Star date: 22nd November 2157
Arcturus station-Hackett's chambers
Fleet admiral Steven Hackett observed the holographic display in front of him keenly it. It was displaying the current progression of the war with the Batarians, large swathes of Batarian space had fallen to the combined assault of commonwealth and council forces, and to think we're holding back, it was true, Humanity in an attempt to deceive it's council counterparts had decided that it would deploy it's mothballed ships instead of its actual fleet. These ships were equipped with the outdated magnetic accelerator cannons, titanium armor and low powered shields and relied on relay travel, Humanity had deployed 3/4 of its mothballed fleet meaning a total of just over 6,700 ships, the council had been slightly shocked when these numbers had come to aid them in their fight to punish the Batarians, but what the council didn't know was what humanity did. Humanity had a total of 20,000 ships armed with the latest technology and materials still in its space hidden, hidden from the councils gaze, or more accurately the STG's gaze. Humanity had allowed the STG a small glimpse into their space, without the Salarians knowing it, Humanity had allowed them to see three small systems and a hub system which from intercepted communications they believed was all that humanity owned. In reality Humanity owned more than 20 systems and all of these were in full time war production, the might of the human war machine was grinding awake and its target, should they chose to provoke them, was the citadel council.
Hackett chuckled to himself quietly, he thought about the council and how they would react if they found out humanities true strength, since the council thought that humanity was weak and primitive they had taken up the brunt of the fighting and 'asked' humanity to leave the ground fighting to them, which was fine by humanity, if they were forced to deploy their ground forces, their ruse may fall apart, as all ground forces were armed with the latest tech and armor and it would have aroused suspicion from the council, and if it came to war humanity wanted catch them with their pants down.
Bringing up a sub menu he observed the casualties of the war so far, as it stood these were the figures:
Batarian losses- 9,000 ships, 13 systems, 3.5 billion people
Turian losses- 5,725 ships, 0 systems, 28 million people
Asari losses- 2,000 ships, 0 systems, 100,000 people
Salarian losses- 100 ships, 0 systems, 50,000
Commonwealth- 4,225 ships, 0 systems, 75,482 people
Hackett grimaced slightly, the ships were expendable, that's why they were being used, but the lives were a bitter acceptance for high command he didn't like it but it needed to be done. But they were getting what they want, the Batarians were down to their last 1,000 ships and Humanity's forces were now beginning to take numerical advantage over their council counterparts as well as the tech advantage, he looked up as ping noise indicated someone was trying to contact him, sighing at who it would be he stood up and smartened his uniform and activated the link to see his Turian equivalent General Desolas Arterius.
"Arterius, good to see you"
"You too Hackett, how are your forces doing" Hackett let out a bark of laughter
"Like you don't already know" Desolas gave a Turian equivalent of a smile, the two leaders had developed a mutual respect for each other and had grown to like each other, but that didn't mean they weren't cautious of each other.
"I do know but I wanted to hear it from you"
"Fine, we have cut of The Batarian home system from all outside support by blockading the Relays, we have called up the reserves of our fleet to help aid in the final push" Hackett had ordered the last 1/4 of the mothball fleet to join up with the rest of their fleet to bolster the assault on the Batarian home system.
"Very well, I have dispatched the 4th fleet to aid the 8th fleet in taking the fortified Horkum system (A/N this is a made up name so please leave me alone). In regards to the Batarian home system, the Asari have lent us their 1st fleet and the STG are lending their services as well, we will also deploy our 9th fleet to aid you in taking the Batarian home system." Desolas looked down and started typing on something "Bringing the total up to 9,572 ships" Hackett arched an eyebrow
"Don't you think that's taking it too far the Batarians only have 1,000 ships" Desolas smirked
"No kill like overkill" Hackett nodded and with that Desolas cut the link, Hackett smiled slightly, when this war was over they would go back to the council and shock the galaxy one way or the other.
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Batarian space
Star date: 25th November 2157
Khar'shan orbit
Rear admiral Jessica Lightwood looked at the wrecks of Batarian ships as they floated in orbit around Khar'shan, council forces were on the ground fighting in the Batarian capital, it wouldn't be long before they captured the city, they were getting lots of radio chatter all of it was saying in general that the Batarians were having their arses handed to them. She took a sip of her cup when she got a transmission that the Batarians were surrendering, the bridge crew let out a cheer which was immediately silenced when alarms began to start blaring out across the ship, Jessica looked out into space to see the council ships orienting themselves to target them, suddenly a transmission could be heard from the speakers. "Attention commonwealth ships do not move or you will be fired upon" Jessica cursed what's going on?
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Yesterday
Council space
Star date: 24th November 2157
Council chambers
Councilor Sparatus was in discussion with his wife Tevos and Councilor Irelith, they were discussing the humans
"They have definitely proved their tenacity and cunningness, as well as their fighting spirit, a race like this would not join the council races willingly" said Irelith
"Agreed but what do we do about them, we can't have a rogue state like them running around lest they cause trouble"
"Yes they need to be dealt with now; I would like to send a fleet into their space while most of their fleet is tied up here"
"We don't need them to be destroyed, they're not dangerous"
"Yet, Tevos, Yet"
"I have an idea" said Irelith "I propose that when we have finished with the Batarians that we trap what is left of their fleet in the system, we will have the majority of their fighting force trapped far away from home and we can force them to capitulate" both Sparatus and Tevos nodded.
"Right, those in favor." all three raised their hands/talon; they had sealed their own fate.
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Council space
Star date: 26th November 2157
CWS: Futures hope
Ambassador Hannah Sheppard was once again on her way to the citadel, but this time in a diplomatic ship in a sign of goodwill, she looked at Anderson and his squad who was once again escorting her, he looked concerned
"What's wrong?"
"Command hasn't heard anything from the mothball fleet, they're getting antsy" before she could reply a shudder went through the ship as they came back into real space beside the relay that would take them to the citadel.
(A/N they're taking the relay to keep up impressions that they are not that advanced, and yes I know the council know about the Earths last resort but an explanation will be coming soon to explain that loop hole)
The ship made its approach and disappeared in a flash of blue light, reappearing beside its sister relay, only to be greeted by a massive fleet, at first the diplomatic party took it as a threat before they were directed to a landing zone
"Looks like they're trying to intimidate us"
"Well it's working… but only because we are so far from human space" the pilot added on after getting a death glare from Anderson.
They were directed to the same landing zone as before and took a shuttle from the ship down to it. When they touched down and disembarked they were immediately swarmed by a mass of news reporters, slightly taken aback the guards were forced to pull out their stun batons upon seeing the intimidating figures unsheathe weapons the press immediately backed away allowing the diplomatic party to get to the elevators.
The elevator ride was a slow as ever and when they entered the council chambers they let out a communal sigh of relief, making their way to the podium they noticed that there were more guards than usual for some reason, the soldiers of the group tightened their grips on their weapons getting a bad feeling in the pits of their stomachs.
Hannah stood up onto the podium and addressed the councilors
"Good day councilors, as we said before we would decide whether or not to join you after the war was finished, well the war is over and the High parliament has reached its decision." The councilors looked between each other something unsaid passing between them
"What is your answer?" asked Tevos
"We respectfully decline your invitation into the citadel council" The council let out a collective sigh and looked at Hannah who felt a chill creep up her spine
"You do not have a choice" said Sparatus
"I'm sorry", Irelith brought up a hologram and what it showed shocked and angered the human representatives, it was the mothball fleet being held hostage
"We hold the majority of your fleet"
"Now you can join us willingly"
"Or we will force you" said the councilors one after the other. Hannah looked down at the floor clenched her fist then looked back at the councilors her eyes blazing with indignant fury.
"You dare… you dare to take Commonwealth citizens hostage and try to use them to force us to capitulate, I think I speak for all of humanity when I say we will never join you, not after this act"
"Very well, Admiral Oraka, execute the prisoners" the Humans expressions went from outrage to shock as the hologram showed the council ships annihilate the mothball fleet.
"We did not want to do that" said Tevos "but you left us no choice"
Hannah was trembling with rage and shock she looked at the council with an expression that seemed to be carved of stone.
"You will regret that councilors"
Sparatus smirked and nodded at the guards who immediately drew their weapons and aimed at the human entourage that was a far as they got.
In the blink of an eye Anderson whirled round and threw what seemed to be dozens of plasma coated bayonets into the c-sec guards killing them instantly, the other Blacklight guards rolled into cover and opened fire on the c-sec guards cutting down many in the first volley, Anderson grabbed Hannah and ran for the elevator door the other operators right behind them, firing with pin point accuracy at their pursuers, they got to the elevator in mere seconds and slammed the button for the landing pad hoping the shuttle was still there.
They got to the bottom and were treated to the sight of mass effect rifle fire; Anderson stood in front of Hannah, his massive frame covering her completely while the other operators activated the portable energy shields built into their suits arms and took cover behind them. When the fire stopped the c-sec guards were shocked by what they saw, the operators hiding behind shields and Anderson standing their riddled with bullets, then some nearly fainted when his wounds healed, he looked at them then bayonets flashed into his hand from out of his sleeves and he charged forward a blur of hacking, slashing and stabbing, the 7 c-sec guards were dead before they even realized he had moved. After that it was a short sprint to the shuttle and then they were off the station.
"Get me a link to High command, this means war"
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Codex entry: Human ground vehicles
Humanity has three types of ground vehicles
Scout/support: these vehicles are lightly armored but very versatile, they are used to scout out positions or to provide fire support to infantry in a fire fight, there a four classes, AT12; specializing in providing anti tank support, FS6; specializing in providing fire support to the infantry on the ground with a mixture of machine guns and rapid fire grenade launchers, S9; a stealth specialized vehicle equipped with cloaking this is used primarily as a scout, T7; these are transports they have one purpose only, to transport troops/ supplies to the front.
Tanks: These vehicles are the staple vehicle of any armored assault, heavily armed and armored these vehicles are designed to take punishment but deal out even more, these have three classes. MK3; these are light tanks, sharing a general resemblance to the 21st century Bradleys IFV these are armed with to deal with lightly armored targets or structures and move around with the scout/support vehicles. MK7; these are the main battle tank of the commonwealth, armed too take out heavily armored and armored enough to survive a direct hit from a fighter craft, several times, these tanks are dangerous even by themselves. MK12; these are prototype tanks, they could be compared as the land version of a capital ship except not made of relay metals and not using a NOVA cannon, these vehicles are the size of a small house and are the most heavily armed and armored unit ever to exist on a human battlefield.
Mechs: the most versatile unit these vehicles have interchangeable weapons and armor sets meaning they are capable of dealing with almost any situation, all mechs are the same class the GPV 1 and are deployed in overwhelming numbers with multiple weapon configurations to deal with any type of enemy that human forces may face.